While cleaning up my engine bay this afternoon, I noticed a small object resting near the driver's side screw that ties the radiator fan cover to the radiator support. The cover was loose and missing the screw, so I thought for a second that the piece might be the screw that had somehow worked its way out of its place. I noticed, however, that the piece had a bright orange stripe on it, and I briefly wondered if the marking was there to indicate that the screw was some special part to be removed only by a qualified mechanic. Once I picked it up, though, I realized it wasn't a screw.

In fact, the piece is the bottom part of a tachometer/speedometer needle! The underside has a small metal pole coming out of it that connects to whatever turns the needles in the instrument cluster.

What's amazing is that no tachometer or speedometer has been near the engine bay of my car in months! The most likely explanation for the part's introduction to my car was while it was in the shop getting a few things worked on, including a tachometer that was working strangely. Perhaps the shop manager, while trying to figure out why my tach wasn't working, broke the needle and had the piece fly off and land in my car without him noticing! (Then, I suppose, he surreptitiously replaced my tachometer and proclaimed it fixed!)

What's even more amazing is the distance and speeds I've covered since the piece could possibly have ended up in my car! That little broken needle piece has been stuck in my engine bay for probably two months, well over 1000 miles! I've reached speeds in excess of 100 mph and cruised for long distances at 80+, yet neither the road speed winds nor the air currents from the radiator fan dislodged the needle!

Despite having no use for a broken part, I hate to throw it away, having traveled so far!

(I hope you guys enjoyed this little diversion devoted to some random thing that got stuck in my car!)
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'89 244 GL -- 108,001 miles (see profile for info on car)